Katie Phoenix Counselling

02/07/2023

This is a very interesting piece about the different fear responses and how they can impact us in different ways. Beginning to recognise and understand what is going on for us is incredibly important for our healing process!

Thank you to Healing From Complex Trauma and Ptsd/cptsd for sharing this information.

Flight Fight Freeze Fawn Trauma Responses

See link in comments.

Pete Walker kindly gave me permission to use any of his work for my website.

~ Lilly Hope Lucario
💜
Healing From Complex Trauma and Ptsd/cptsd

18/06/2023

Sending love to all of us finding a little difficult 💙

And a special thank you to for letting us share this beautiful illustration ✨

21/04/2023

Unmet childhood needs, don't just go away when you turn 18.
Those needs continue on.
Something I realised in my journey and resonated with many other child abuse and childhood trauma survivors.
I realised I couldn't find these needs in other adults.
So I started finding them in myself.
I did inner child healing, which was a very hard and emotional time.
But needed.
~ Lilly Hope Lucario
💜
Healing From Complex Trauma and Ptsd/cptsd

17/02/2023

Trauma affects us in so many different ways. It doesn't mean that we are broken, or worthless, or weird - our bodies and minds have responded to our experiences in the only ways they know how. In the ways that protected us or helped us to survive. Processing our experiences in a safe place - with someone we trust - can help us understand what's happening and how we can heal and move forward.

Blaming people who have experienced for being traumatised, and complaining at their neurobiological response to chronic unsafety, is like blaming children for not being adults or sleeping people for being asleep.

Read more: https://www.carolynspring.com/blog/why-the-symptoms-of-trauma-make-sense/

06/02/2023

There have been several times that people have come to me asking about attachment styles, and how these may be impacting their lives and relationships. This is a very good breakdown of the basics - I hope it's helpful if you've wondered yourself!

ℹ️🌿 HEALING THE HEARTACHE: HOW HEALING ATTACHMENT WOUNDS CAN HELP BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS |

You might be struggling in your relationships and can’t figure out why.

You might have this nagging feeling that you are somehow to blame, but you aren’t doing anything “wrong”... you are just so misunderstood.

You might be thinking to yourself, “Relationships are not supposed to be this hard! What is wrong with me?” I can assure you, that if you are asking yourself these questions, you are on the right track and there is nothing “wrong” with you.

https://integrativepsych.co/new-blog/heal-the-heartache-using-attachment-theory

05/02/2023

12/01/2023

When a friend or family member has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, it affects you too. Your loved one’s nervous system is “stuck” in a state of constant alert, making them continually feel vulnerable and unsafe, or having to relive the traumatic experience over and over. This can lead to anger, irritability, depression, mistrust, and other symptoms that they can’t simply choose to 'turn off.’

You may see they are struggling and so desperately want to help – but the most important thing to know is that your support can make a HUGE difference in your loved ones recovery. You don’t always need to have ‘answers’ or ways to make things ‘right’ for them – sometimes just having the knowledge that someone is there for them, really listening to them with empathy and understanding, and not making assumptions about how they feel, can make the world of difference.

One frustrating aspect of PTSD or C-PTSD for sufferers is that it’s very difficult to articulate, or even know what will help – so your loved one may not be able to tell you what they need, or how they’re feeling. At times, a close hug might be what will help them, but the next minute, they may need to be alone. Try to keep communicating with each other about what will help at that moment in time, and don’t make assumptions that the same thing will help in a few days time.

Find out more about how to support a loved one with PTSD or C-PTSD including how to help build their sense of trust and safety and how to encourage and support treatment here: ptsduk.org/friends-family/supporting-someone-with-ptsd/

If it's a child you're caring for who has PTSD or C-PTSD, here's some information on how to help support them: ptsduk.org/how-can-i-help-my-child-with-ptsd/

Find out more about how to create a safe and open place for someone to talk here: https://www.ptsduk.org/how-to-talk-to-a-loved-one-about-their-ptsd-or-mental-health/

Be sure you're looking after yourself too. Your own mental health may slip further down your list of priorities, but it is vital to look after yourself in order to provide care and support. Find out more here: ptsduk.org/friends-family/self-care-for-loved-ones/

📸 Shared with permission from https://www.instagram.com/dinosandcomics/

10/01/2023

10/01/2023

Passing this message along. At one time, through an incredibly traumatic situation, I would tell myself that I was strong so it was okay. (It wasn't okay)
If you ever find yourself trying to convince yourself that you're strong enough to handle something that is traumatizing you or re-traumatizing you - please please please look at your options of walking away, setting boundaries, or getting help.

26/12/2022

If you are struggling and feeling suicidal, organisations like this are just one means of receiving help.

Nobody should have to go through feeling that way alone. Please remember there are people who can help.

Home Welcome to the Su***de Crisis website Su***de Crisis is a registered charity that works nationally and locally to prevent su***de. We also work on su***de prevention initiatives in other countries. We run an award-winning Su***de Crisis Centre in the U.K. Our Su***de Crisis Centre offers a safe...

23/12/2022

The holiday period isn't necessarily a joyful time for everyone. Please share this, so that hopefully those who are struggling know of some organisations they can reach out to if needed.

Take care, look after yourselves and know that there is always someone there who cares and wants to help.